For tips on how to score the perfect bathing suit, we tapped mom Ingrid Carney, founder of chic maternity swimsuit line Ingrid & Isabel.

Check them out below:

Avoid pinching! It’s not flattering and surely not comfortable. Find a suit with quality stretch fabrics (nylon, spandex or Lycra) that can adapt to your changing body. The best is a four-way stretch fabric that stretches from side to side, as well as up and down. At Ingrid & Isabel, we use 90% nylon 10% spandex and that works well for us. If it’s the right fabric, paired with great construction, the suit will expand with your shape in the right places without pinching.

Less is more. It’s counter-intuitive, but when it comes to a basic bottom, perhaps a side-tie or hipster, the more fabric you have on your bottom, the larger you may look. So, don’t let your pregnancy relegate you to “brief-cut” swim bottoms. As long as they don’t pinch, a sleek bottom should work very well.

And for those of you who want more coverage, consider lower rise skirted or hipster styles, which are stylish and on trend before resigning yourself to a full brief. Your silhouette will look balanced. Trust me on this one.

Separates or a one-piece? I prefer separates. First of all, it’s nice to break up the pregnant silhouette by showing a full belly or just a peek of skin above your bottom half. Second, pairing a bottom with two tops (bikini or tankini) will give you mix and match options throughout your pregnancy. Lastly, it makes things much easier for those frequent ladies room visits.

If you’re a one-piece gal, consider a versatile tankini you can pull down to appear like a one-piece while giving you the convenience of separates. And if you find yourself in a swimsuit postpartum, that tankini will likely be your choice.

Courtesy Ingrid & Isabel

Look for tops that fit today AND tomorrow. Your bustline can grow a cup size or more during pregnancy and beyond, so your suit must be designed to adapt with you. If you were blessed with a model-esque chest, then perhaps the simple triangle top will work throughout your entire pregnancy.

Or maybe you were blessed in the other direction, then those glamour halters will work best for you. Either way, consider where you were before pregnancy and look for these construction must-haves: 1) wide, adjustable straps that wrap at your back and/or your neck to support your breasts and flatter a softer-than-usual back, 2) stretchy fabric that will expand with your increased breast size, and 3) removable cups that help smooth out your growing bosom and offer more coverage.

Don’t forget the add-ons. Your go-to summer accessories can draw attention to those areas you want to spotlight (and steer eyes away from those you don’t). So, layer on an embellished tunic or cover-up, chunky necklace, cool flip flops, water-safe tote and sunglasses for a complete look. Add an all-natural sunscreen and a good book and you’re all set.

All I can say is that lady looks likes she’s freezing, her skin is purpled everywhere

Monika
on May 16th, 2011

That model looks a lot like Andrew Firestone’s wife Ivana.

kris
on May 16th, 2011

She does look cold, but actually I think the purple thing is normal for a lot of woman during pregnancy. I know I have more veins and such now.

pheobe j.
on May 16th, 2011

I think she is pretty, but the swimsuit color is what’s not doing it for her. blah. and thinking about wearing that while pregnant is laughable- looks like something a 13 year old teenybopper would own!

Abby
on May 16th, 2011

That IS Ivana Bozilovic

just sayin’
on May 16th, 2011

Unless you do a lot of swimming and want to make the investment, it’s not necessary to pay a premium for a “maternity” suit, you can make do with a regular suit by going up a size, mixing and matching tops and bottoms, etc.